spire, bell, organ, and all things necessary for conducting the worship of Almighty God in a reverent and decent manner; a new and comfortable parsonage, with 165 regu- lar communicants . . . The first resident clergyman here, the Rev. Mr. Meek, whose name is still held in grateful re- membrance, would hardly know the parish now, could he revisit it. In fact, those acquainted with the place ten or fifteen years ago must be surprised at the great change that has taken place.

Among those who died during Mr. Reagh’s incumbency was the last local representative of the ‘old regime’, Mrs. Donald Mont- gomery, the former Louisa Cundall. She had remained Anglican although her second husband, Senator Montgomery, was a Presby- terian. At her burial in the cemetery of the old Presbyterian Church in New London Mr. Reagh took the committal. She left a small endowment which perpetuates the early connection of her family with the parish. Another pioneer, James Pidgeon, died De- cember 19, 1886, aged 84 years. It is recorded that

Mr. Pidgeon was an humble earnest Christian, and deeply attached to the Church of England, the Church of his fathers. It was in a large measure due to his zeal, under the Divine blessing, that an English Church was erected at French River; and in the absence of a clergyman he himself read the services with much acceptance. Mr. Pid- geon was a most useful member of the community, acting as minister, doctor and lawyer, receiving no remuneration except the warm gratitude of those he befriended.

In 1889 Thomas Blanchard Reagh left New London to become Rector of Milton, but he often returned to visit his former parish which under his ministry had seen its greatest development both spiritually and materially.

One outstanding event in late July, 1883, was the wreck of the Marco Polo off Cavendish Capes. The sale of the cargo, hull, masts, rigging, and other equipment of this great St. John sailing ship whose name had once been known around the world, took place at the farm of Alexander McNeill. Throngs of buyers came from all over the Island and from Quebec, St. John, Sackville, Moncton, Shediac and Kouchibouguac, all anxious to own something which had belonged to the former Queen of the Seas. The Govern- ment of Canada presented Captain Alfred MacLeod of French River with binoculars “in recognition of his humane exertions in the rescue of the shipwrecked crew of the M urea Polo of Norway, 25th Jul 1883.” Relics of this ship, including an anchor discovered this present year (1959) are preserved in the St. John Museum.

In June, 1890, the Reverend Thomas Lloyd, a Welshman, or— dained deacon late in life in 1888, was appointed to New London. Attendances revived after his coming. A Sunday School had been carried on by Mr. Reagh, and now sessions were held the year round. In 1891 Mr. Lloyd presented a class of 68 candidates to Bishop Courtney for Confirmation. He reported a fence built

43